Fence-post



(No Model.)

0. W. STAMBAUGH.

FENUE POST. No. 318,816. Patented May 26, 1885.

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CHARLES W. STAMBAUGH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,816, dated ItIay 26, 1885.

Application filed January 3, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. STAM- BAUGH, of Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and usethc same.

My invention relates to improvements in metal fence-posts, the object being to provide sheet-metal braces pivoted to the post and slightly curved longitudinally near the points, so that the braces will spread or separate as they enter the ground, and provided with two sets of stops, the one set to engage the post and hold these points of the braces separated equal short distances from the post, and the other set to engage the post at the top of the braces and prevent the same from spreading too far.

A further object is to provide, in addition to the stops aforesaid, a locking device by means of which, when thebraces are distended, by driving the post into the ground, the braces are held rigid in the distended position.

With these objects in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and in combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of the lower portion of the post, with the braces folded in position to be driven into the ground. Fig. 2 is the same view, but with the braces distended, showing the relative position of the parts after the post has been driven. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one of the braces detached from the post. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line a: a", Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line m m, Fig. 2.

A represents the posts, and B the braces. The posts are light bars of iron, cross-sections of which are shown in Figs. 4., 5, and 6. The lower end of the post is usually pointed and twisted a quarter-turn at a, so that its greatest resistance against the ground will be in the direction of the braces. The braces are of sheet-iron, bent in cross-section, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, and are pivoted to the post (No model.)

by the bolts 0. The braces are bent out a trifle near the bottom, so that they will spread out when the post is driven into the ground.

Near the upper end of each brace, upon the concave side thereof, is formed alip, b, bent inwardly at right angles to the brace. Thus when the braces are secured to the post these lips come in contact with the post, and prevent the lower ends of the braces from coming together. By thus keeping the lower ends of the braces away from the post they will naturally spread apart when the post is driven into the ground.

When the braces are distended a suitable distance, as shown in Fig. 2, the top ends of the braces at b strike the post and act as stops, to prevent a further spreading of the lower ends of the braces, and the upper ends are usually bent back about to the line Z1, so that there are two thicknesses of metal where the brace strikes the post, and the strength at this point is correspondingly increased.

The braces are of similar construction, and are pivoted to the post with their concave sides facing each other, with one side of each brace in direct contact with the post. Each of the braces is provided on one side with an outwardly-projecting lip, 61, formed on the outer face thereof. It will be observed that when the braces are pivoted securely to the post the lip d is caused to impinge with great pressure upon the inner face of the adjacent brace, and consequently when the lower ends of the braces are extended outwardly the lips at will be released from contact against the face of the adjacent brace, and, owing to the pressure against the sides of the braces by means of the bolt 0, they will naturally spring or be drawn inwardly, and consequently the edge d of the brace will bear against the lip d, whereby the braces are securely locked in adj ustment.

After the post is driven into the ground, usually about to the bolt, if it is necessary to remove the post the bolt is first removed, after which the post, and then the braces, one at a time, can be easily withdrawn. The braces are usually galvanized after they are formed, to render them durable.

The device is simple, strong, and durable, and can be made at a small initial cost.

What I claim is- 1. The combination, with a fence-post, of braces pivoted to the post and provided with looking lips or lugs, whereby the lower ends of the braces are held in extended adjustment, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a fence-post, of braces provided with lips or lugs adapted to impinge against the opposite sides of the post,

- whereby the lower ends of the braces are prevented from coming together, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a fence-post, of braces provided with inwardly-projecting lugs adapted to bear against the sides of the post, and having the outwardly-projecting lugs adapted to bear against the outer edge of the adjacent brace, whereby the lower ends of the braces are held in extended adjustment, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with a fence-post, of 20 Witnesses:

CHAS. H. DORER, ALBERT E. LYNoH. 

